UGANDA

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LEGAL UPDATES

April 11, 2019

After a very long delay in proceedings, the court has now ordered a hearing for May 14, where youth plaintiffs will present lay and expert witness evidence demonstrating that the Ugandan government defendants have failed to prepare and implement sufficient climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to protect youth plaintiffs, young people, and future generations. Youth plaintiffs also intend to cross examine the defendants’ witnesses on this date. It is anticipated that, within the next few months, written submissions will be filed by the parties and the court will then issue a judgment. Our Children’s Trust looks forward to assisting the youth plaintiffs and their legal team as the case progresses.

August 28, 2015

Youth plaintiffs file an Amended Plaint, adding the National Environmental Management Authority as defendants in the case.

April 30, 2014

The High Court of Uganda at Kampala held a preliminary hearing on the Ugandan atmospheric trust lawsuit. The judge told the parties to begin a mediation process, which must be concluded in 90 days. If in mediation no progress is made as to the relief sought in the complaint, then a formal judicial process will begin, and the court indicated it would hear the matter on November 6, 2014.

September 20, 2012

With the support of Our Children's Trust, Ugandan environmental NGO Greenwatch filed an atmospheric trust lawsuit against the Uganda government on behalf of local youth plaintiffs in the High Court of Uganda Holden at Kampala. The complaint invokes a governmental public trust duty under Articles 39 and 237 of the Uganda Constitution to protect the country's atmospheric resources from climate change for the benefit of current and future generations. Greenwatch and their youth plaintiffs seek court orders to compel Ugandan agencies to enforce the terms of international climate treaties, conduct a carbon accounting, develop a climate change mitigation plan in accordance with the best science, and protect Ugandan children from the adverse impacts of climate change.